Şeyh Mosque is a historical place of worship located in the Central district of Rize province, in Turkey's Black Sea Region. The current structure of the mosque bears traces of both traditional Ottoman mosque architecture and regional building styles, in terms of its architectural features and construction techniques. This structure, which continues its religious, cultural, and architectural functions, has been recorded in the inventory under the name Şeyh Mosque and is identified with the inventory code TR.ANT.53.060.067.

^{Şeyh Mosque (Photo: Ahsen Güneş)}

Architectural Features

The mosque has a central plan scheme and consists of a square-planned main prayer hall (harim) and a rectangular-planned narthex (son cemaat yeri) located on its northern facade. The entire structure is built with cut stone material. The main prayer area is covered by a large main dome designed in two tiers; four semi-domes are positioned around this dome. All domes are covered with lead.

The narthex (son cemaat mahalli) is covered with five small domes resting on stone columns and supported by alternating arches. On the east and west facades of the structure, there are two minarets with prismatic plinths and cylindrical bodies, placed on cut stone bases. Both minarets have a single balcony (şerefe) and their upper sections are crowned with conical spires (külah).

Numerous arched windows with stone frames, arranged in an alternating pattern, are found on the dome drum and body walls. This window arrangement allows the interior of the mosque to be illuminated with natural light. The entrance section consists of a round-arched opening; on both sides of the entrance, there are colonnettes equipped with fluted and projecting capitals. Inside the entrance arch, there is an Arabic inscription, and on its upper part, there is an inscription (kitabe) carved on marble.

^{Şeyh Mosque (Black Sea Cultural Inventory)}

Interior Features

The interior is equipped with numerous windows that support the mosque's generally bright character. The women's gallery (kadınlar mahfili) located in the northern part, was later constructed from reinforced concrete and arranged to be supported by two columns. The mihrab (prayer niche), minbar (pulpit), and sermon chair (vaaz kürsüsü) are made of marble; the interior of the mihrab is adorned with muqarnas (stalactite carvings), and its frame is designed in a stepped manner. The minbar surface is decorated with floral motifs. Additionally, the interior features kalem işi (pen-work) calligraphy and decorations, along with stained-glass windows around the base of the dome.

^{Interior (Black Sea Cultural Inventory)}

^{Interior (Black Sea Cultural Inventory)}

History and Preservation

The mosque's history dates back to the 18th century. According to its inscription, the initial structure was built by El Hac Muhammed Efendi in Hijri 1123 (Gregorian 1711). However, this structure, which became irreparable over time, was demolished, and a new mosque was built between 1953 and 1965. Finally, as a result of restoration works carried out in 2014, the mosque attained its current architectural appearance.